Nigel Kennedy's 2011 album, 'The Four Elements', is a captivating masterpiece that showcases the violinist's boundless creativity and innovative spirit. Inspired by Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons', Kennedy conceived this suite of pieces as his own 21st-century response, blending Celtic and Gypsy fiddling, jazz, and rock elements to create a unique sound.
This seven-track album, released on 23 September 2011 via Sony Classical, takes the listener on a sonic journey through the elements, with each piece evoking the distinct characteristics of air, earth, fire, and water. The tracks, including 'I. Overture', 'II. Air', 'III. Earth', 'IV. Fire', 'V. Water', and 'VI. Finale', demonstrate Kennedy's mastery of his craft, as he weaves together a rich tapestry of classical, jazz, and world music influences.
With a duration of 59 minutes, 'The Four Elements' is a testament to Kennedy's versatility and skill as a composer and performer. His ability to blend different styles and genres has resulted in an album that is both a tribute to the classical tradition and a bold experimentation with new sounds. As a renowned violinist and violist, Nigel Kennedy has once again pushed the boundaries of musical expression, creating an album that is sure to delight fans of classical music and beyond.
Vinylscout